Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 241 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Two sides, one motion): Motion: the statement being debated, often starting “This House believes…” or “This House would…”. Proposition: for the motion, speaks first, defines the key words, ends “I beg to propose”. Opposition: against it, answers the proposition, ends “I beg to oppose”. Good debate topics for students have two real sides; a plain fact is not debatable.

1. 1.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
14. 14.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
29. 29.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
30. 30.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion

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